Too Many Blooms

January 31, 2011
In this launch title of the Petal Pushers series, Del (short for Delphinium) is the eldest of four Bloom sisters, all named for flowers (as are mother Daisy, grandmother Iris, and great-aunt Lily). Seventh-grader Del works part-time at her grandparents' flower shop, her "absolute favorite place in the world to be." Given the novel's proliferation of all things floral, it's not entirely surprising that, despite the drama that arises, Daly's story can be overly rosy. Strong-willed Del is worried when her grandparents take an extended vacation, leaving her disorganized mother in charge of the shop ("I was the only one who knew anything about the store," she insists). Del steps in to help when a haughty bride-to-be demands "one of a kind" flowers for her high society wedding, in which Del's uppity "arch-nemesis" is a junior bridesmaid. As her sisters pitch in, Del resents their encroachment, yet comes to appreciate the benefits of cooperating as a family. Though the story often has the feel of a Disney Channel sitcom, Del's timidity toward her new crush at school credibly balances her self-assuredness. Also available: Flower Feud. Ages 8–12.